Guardians of the Galaxy #2Review

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The Guardians induct a patriotic new member.

By Jesse Schedeen

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It's nice to see that fledgling teams in need of their own book are actually capable of earning that honor these days. Without a doubt, Star-Lord and his band of misfits were the best thing to come out of Annihilation: Conquest, with the possible exception of Cosmo the Talking Space Dog. Marvel, in their infinite wisdom, decided to merge the team and Cosmo with several other under-appreciated cosmic characters to form Guardians of the Galaxy. The end result is a rip-roaring, side-splitting romp of a book that shouldn't be missed. I'm serious. I don't want people whining about having to get caught up with Guardians when they figure out how awesome this book is six months down the road.

You may have thought the team came together completely in the first issue, but you'd be wrong. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning make one rather sizable addition to the cast this month. Yes, it has to do with the familiar-looking shield on the cover. No, I won't reveal whether it has anything to do with the real Captain America. Any reader familiar with the original Guardians series has probably formulated one or two promising theories by now.

The important thing is that this new addition ties heavily into the third Annihilation event Abnett and Lanning are obviously planning. I know what you're thinking – after Conquest, do we really need another one? At this point I welcome the build-up. It lends the series a sense of grand purpose beyond all the cosmic bwahaha. Cosmo, Groot, and Rocket Raccoon can't carry the book on their own. Or can they? I'm not entirely sure because Abnett and Lanning resist placing too much of the focus on the book's best characters. Poor Cosmo enjoys a single solitary panel this month. Groot barely even receives that much.

The book's only real flaw is that some other team members (ie – everyone not on Star-Lord's original squad) just aren't as interesting. I don't hate Adam Warlock or Quasar, but they're far too dour for me to entirely enjoy their numerous appearances. I don't really want to read about Phyla-Vell trying to cook dinner for Drax. I want to read about Drax stabbing things. As for Gamora, at this point she only feels like half a character without Nova around. Luckily, all that melts away when the team sets out on their latest adventure. Good teams are all about the dynamics of conflict, and Abnett and Lanning have that down pat. This book is like Nextwave with real substance underneath, and I love it.

The same complaints and praises apply to Paul Pelletier's art as did last month and pretty much every other month in recent memory. Pelletier has a wild imagination and a true talent for laying it all out on the page. With Guardians stretching out into all corners of the galaxy and eveyrwhere in between, Marvel could scarcely have found a more suitable artist. Unfortunately, his characters are as flat and boring as his landscapes are awe-inducing. I really can't understand how Pelletier can be such a genius of illustration but completely stumble when it comes to figures and faces. At this point I have to wonder if the book would be better served by the addition of a co-artist to help Pelletier in this area.

Whatever flaws Guardians may have, though, I forgive them for the sheer sense of fun and excitement the book delivers. Between this series and Nova, cosmic Marvel is undergoing a new golden age. That alone is enough to pique my interest for Annihilation 3.